tensions at land bank

Tension is simmering between the acting chief executive and managers at the Land Bank following what they deem to be an unfair appointment.

Two days after acting chief executive Phil Mohlahlane ascended to his post in July last year, he appointed general manager for Legal and Recoveries, Ntseiso Moeketsi, as a general manager in his office.

The post had been vacant from September 2006.

The Lesotho-born advocate joined the bank in 2003 and after her appointment, her salary increased from R980000 to R1,5million a year.

The post was not advertised and the human resources manager was also not informed of the move.

A senior official at the bank said: "A week after the appointment we had a board meeting where the chief executive announced the appointment.

"The HR manager, Nandi Manentsa, addressed the board and told members that she wanted to put it on record that she had no prior knowledge of the appointment."

Land Bank general manager for corporate development, Herman Moeketsi, said: "Manentsa was suspended as a result of various issues for which she has received notification and which will be dealt with at a disciplinary hearing."

But other managers have questioned why they were not given a chance to apply for the post.